Important: This section provides general information. Ask your paediatrician for advice specific to your baby’s health.
Place your baby on their back
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing babies on their backs for every sleep, day and night, until their first birthday. Follow your doctor’s guidance if a specific medical condition requires different advice.
Use a firm, flat sleep surface
A cot or baby bed should be flat, not inclined, with a firm mattress that fits the product correctly. Use only a fitted sheet. Keep pillows, loose blankets, toys and cot bumpers out of the sleep space.
Share a room, not a sleep surface
Current guidance recommends that babies sleep in the same room as a parent during the early months, but in a separate cot or suitable sleep space. Falling asleep with a baby on a sofa or armchair is not safe.
Keep cords and devices away
Blind cords, charging cables, monitors and sound devices must stay out of reach. Do not place a device inside or on the edge of the cot while playing a lullaby.
Remove soft items from the sleep space
Pillows, loose blankets, soft toys and cot bumpers should not be in a baby’s sleep area. If you are concerned about warmth, ask a health professional about sleepwear suited to your baby’s age and room conditions instead of using loose covers.
Avoid overheating
Sweating, a hot chest or flushed skin may indicate that a baby is too warm. Do not overheat the room or cover the baby’s head during sleep. Keep clothing simple and appropriate for the room.
Do not use sitting devices as routine sleep spaces
Car seats, swings, bouncers and carriers may be designed for travel or supervised use, but they do not replace a routine sleep space. If a baby falls asleep in one, follow current guidance on moving them to a safe, flat sleep surface when possible.
Provide a smoke- and nicotine-free environment
Avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and after birth is part of safer sleep. Keep the home and car smoke-free.
Make sure every caregiver knows the same rules
Share the same safer-sleep steps with grandparents, babysitters and other family members. A consistent approach reduces confusion across different settings.
A quick pre-sleep safety check
- Is the baby placed on their back?
- Is the surface firm, flat and not inclined?
- Does the sleep space contain only the appropriate mattress and fitted sheet?
- Are toys, pillows, loose covers and cords out of the way?
- Is the sound device or monitor outside the cot and out of reach?